affiliated to the BCU

Paddling Activities

Slalom
Slalom is one of the club’s main areas of interest. Canoe Slalom is one of the competitive aspects of canoeing and requires the paddler to negotiate themselves and their canoe through a series of poles known as gates trying not to touch any in the fastest possible time. This normally takes place on various levels and magnitude of moving water.

There is a national divisional system in place: slalom begins at Division 3 for newcomers, through Division 2 for intermediate paddlers and up to Division 1 and Premier for advanced competitors.

Slalom coaching can be used to instill good paddling techniques, ability to understand water conditions and use of the currents, alongside its merit of improving your fitness.

The Slalom site at Matlock has both a flat and moving water slalom training course with permanent training gates. The competition season runs from March to October with events being held all over the country and winter training is undertaken from November to March.

For a lot more information about slalom in the UK, including information on how to get started, event details and rankings, visit http://canoeslalom.co.uk.

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Recreational Paddling
Recreational paddling involves negotiating down a river around obstacles and generally playing in waves, stoppers, holes, bottom of weirs and falls.

Recreational paddling is the more sociable side of the club being more family orientated, generally paddled water between grade 1 and 2 levels. What you do depends on your own skill to the level of water you are confident on, however, working together as a team is essential way to provide safety cover and to learn of others.

The club is particularly keen to encourage new members with or without experience to further develop activities within Recreational arena.

River Running
River running involves negotiating down a river around obstacles and through such things as waves, stoppers, holes, weirs and falls.

Generally UK rivers are graded from 1 (easy, flat) to 6 (near impossible) depending upon their difficulty. River Running depends on your own skill to successfully navigate the river. However, working as a good team also is essential to provide safety cover and to pre-check river routes.

The club is particularly keen to encourage new members with experience to further develop activities in River Running.

Canoe Polo

Canoe Polo is played generally in a swimming pool. It is a fast moving game similar lines to 5 aside football; it requires the ability to roll, although not essential.

It is an excellent game for improving paddlers overall skill and technique particularly good improving and maintaining fitness levels during the winter months.

We are always looking out for new players of all abilities, so why not give it a try

Matlock Canoe Club until a few years ago had a polo squad and have in the past had successful teams in both national and regional leagues.

The club is particularly keen to encourage new members with experience to further develop Canoe Polo

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Play Boating

Play Boating is for paddlers who seek the ultimate in safe but dynamic paddling. Generally is it for experienced paddlers

Play boating can be a completive discipline with paddlers attending rodeo competitions. These are sited on waterways with good well-formed waves and holes. Points are scored by performing various manoeuvres such as cartwheels and loops etc. The club have had members compete in several events around the country.

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Wild Water Racing

Matlock Canoe Club over the years has had successful paddlers in both GBR and national leagues. The club is particularly keen to encourage members with experience to further develop activities in these areas.

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Sea Kayaking

The club is particularly keen to encourage new members with experience to further develop activities in these areas.